A lifelong fixture in the steeplechasing community, Jack Fisher trained and jockeyed the record-breaking six-time Virginia Gold Cup winner, Saluter, in the mid-1990s. The horse also won England’s Marlborough Cup in 1997 en route to the World Timber Championship title and was the Chronicle’s Overall Horse of the Year in 1999. Nearly a decade later, Fisher is now in the spotlight with Good Night Shirt, whom he saddles for owner Harold A. Via Jr. In 2007, the gelding helped Fisher nab his third NSA Leading Trainer (races won) title, and in late January of this year, earned him his first Eclipse Award.
If you hadn’t become a horseman, where would you be right now?
We don’t want to go there. I’d probably be in jail. I could say I’d be on the stock market or something, but that’d be lying.
Given the chance, what horse other than your own would you like to take a turn on?
McDynamo’s [retired], so I can’t take that one. I can’t think of an outstanding horse that I don’t have right now. Maybe Landing Party, a horse my father had, [who won the Maryland Hunt Cup twice and the Grand National three times].
What word or phrase do you overuse?
None that can be printed.
What is your drink of choice?
Diet Mountain Dew.
What is your biggest self-indulgence?
Besides the Mountain Dew and another something you can’t print, it’s just kind of the horses. That’s what keeps you going.
What is the best feeling in the world?
A horse when they’re just jumping a fence great. A horse, especially at a race, that stands back maybe a little bit farther than you think they should and they just air it.
What sound is music to your ears?
The race announcer saying we’ve won.
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Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
Well, I have to say my wife, Sheila. I would get in a lot of trouble if I didn’t say that.
Looking back on your career so far, what advice are you glad you never took?
My father told me he didn’t want me to ride Saluter and that he was no good. The worst advice I ever gave to somebody was also about Saluter, telling them not to buy him!
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the world today?
Overpopulation.
What was the last book you read?
Patrick Smithwick’s book, Racing My Father: Growing Up With A Riding Legend.
What three things are most likely to be found in your refrigerator at all times?
Not much. Mountain Dew, milk and cheese.
What is your favorite race venue?
Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. [home of the Virginia Gold Cup].
Do you have any race-day superstitions?
When things are going well, then I don’t change. If I’m sitting in a box at the race, and a horse
goes well, I won’t change positions for the next race.
If you could change one thing about the sport of steeplechasing, what would it be?
To get everybody to work together to enlarge the sport.
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What characteristic do you value most in a horse?
Honesty.
In a human?
Honesty.
If you had to boil down your training philosophy into one word, what would it be?
TakeItEasy.
In retrospect, what has been the best decision you’ve made in life?
Marrying my wife. I can get a lot of credit here.
Where will you be in 10 years?
Same place… hopefully.
